Wireless connection icon freezing but still connected to the internet

Doo0592 · 15 Oct 2010

Hi all,

I have been having this problem for over a month now. It first started on my old laptop which is now sadly defunct due to a graphics card issue and is no longer on the network, however, the issue has now transferred to 2 other laptops over the space of a few weeks.

A basic overview is that when you start the laptops the icon in the system tray for the wireless network continues to display that it's connecting (the spinning circle) for over 30 mins. A desktop gadget I had installed on my old laptop advised me that it had solved the pc and router's IPs but was having issues solving the external IP. Yet, I could still open and browse the internet freely but it did cause windows functions (ie. the network connection centre etc.) to freeze on start up. This issue does not occur while in safe mode with networking.

Solutions I have tried (not in order):

*Windows repair
*Windows restore
*Norton and AVG and Kaspersky scan
*PC pitstop scan
*Troubleshooted startup services and programs

This issue has jumped from one pc after it was off the network to a pc that is usually connected last.

I have abstained from reinstalling the OS for the moment due to lack of back up space.

I have suspicions that there is a virus in the system but I don't know how to find it

. Any help on this would be appreciated.

Doo0592 x

chev65 · 15 Oct 2010

Don't you think there is a possiblity that having three A/V's installed on your system can cause this type of problem? The virus is the anti virus in this case. I suggest you uninstall your A/V's then test.

Doo0592 · 16 Oct 2010

Sorry chev65 I should have clarified a few things but I had an 8 year old hanging over my shoulder wanting to look for pictures of great danes

The anti-virus progams were not installed at the same time on the same pc.

I play World of Warcraft and have had a few security issues with it and this is where I suspect the malware/ virus/ trojan has come from. Only PCs that have had Warcraft installed are affected, one desktop is not.

I am looking for ways to troubleshoot the issue deeper in the system as all anti-virus programs are coming back negative. Services and startup programs have been eliminated as the cause- so looking for help troubleshooting drivers/registry.

Once again any help is appreciated :)

Fayla · 16 Oct 2010

Do you use the built in Windows wireless software, or the wireless client software provided with the wifi card?

Pierre50 · 16 Oct 2010

Hello Doo0592,

What I see missing from your efforts is the use of SAFE MODE and/or SAFE MODE w/ NETWORKING...

I know that my wireless works find in SAFE MODE w/ NETWORKING, so you should try that also.

As far as Virus detection, it's pretty worthless to scan at any time except for when in SAFE MODE. I think it was 8 years ago or so that the virus coders built in and fully adopted Stealth Mode... if Windows is running in it's native mode, the virus is hidden from most AV scanners.

So give a whirl with SAFE MODE, and let's hear what happens... You can use SAFE MODE w/ NETWORKING to update sig files and test your wireless with the wireless router.

Just in case - you enter SAFE MODE by tapping the F8 key every second during start up - Start tapping the F8 key immediately after the BIOS loading is complete.

HTH...

Doo0592 · 17 Oct 2010

Thanks Rei and Pierre for the replies :)

Since my last post I have ran defraggler, cc cleaner, hijack this and attempted to run rootkitbuster but x64 it is not supported. I would appreciated it if someone could have a look at the hijack this log attached and let me know if there is anything suspect.

Pierre, I did mention in the first post that the issue doesn't present in safe mode with networking but it was probably lost in all the information I had to give

I tried Norton in safe mode but the service can't start so I will try AVG/ Kaspersky and let you know the outcome.

Rei, I am using the windows wireless software as no other software came with the laptop but I will have a look on the manufacturer's website and see if there is anything there.

Thanks again all xx
doo

Pierre50 · 17 Oct 2010

Hello Doo0592,

Yup, my speed reading failed me... once again!

I would suggest that you head to MS Sysinternals and at least download the Process Explorer application. It's safe, light, and fast... and it will show you which process is taking the CPU focus, which may help you ID the reason for the spinning wireless loading delay.

I am also not a big fan of 'security suites' and would like to know what happens when you remove the Kaspersky Internet Suite and use the built in windows fwall and a stand alone AV package. I have seen more 'security suites' booger up (advanced technical term there) a system in the blink of an eye, and when removed the system is fast and does what it should.

I did not see anything glaring in the Hijack this log - most everything looked kosher, but then - I was speed reading once again...

Keep us posted.

Fayla · 17 Oct 2010

That's good. I really only asked that because the built in wireless client for Windows usually doesn't have as many problems as a third party wireless client.

Doo0592 said:

Rei, I am using the windows wireless software as no other software came with the laptop but I will have a look on the manufacturer's website and see if there is anything there.

Doo0592 · 17 Oct 2010

Thanks again Pierre :)

I have just finished running kaspersky in safe mode and that hasn't turned up anything. Going to install AVG AV only and run that but I'm not expecting it to pick up anything either at this point. Good to know the hijackthis log looked ok thou it's starting to rule out a virus or trojan at least. My last step after this, I think, will be to do a clean reinstall of win and put it bk to 32x as well lol

Spk soon!

doo

Doo0592 · 17 Oct 2010

Oh and thanks Rei (you mustave been posting while I was typing hehe) I think the same myself about the 3rd party wireless software :)